When everything turns around

Some have the feeling of falling, for others the walls seem to be spinning, and others can hardly stand up: dizziness manifests itself in a variety of ways and is as individual as the people themselves. Almost one in three Austrians is affected by it at least once in their life .

“The causes are also varied,” explained university professor Raimund Helbok, head of the University Clinic for Neurology at the Kepler University Hospital Linz, at the OÖN health tour, which brought the topic into focus.

Around 300 affected people obtained information from the expert and also took the opportunity to ask questions about their personal health.

“It is important that dizziness is clarified quickly so that we know what is behind it,” said Raimund Helbok and recommended an initial check-up with your family doctor. In order to get a correct diagnosis, the most important thing is to listen – how long does the dizziness last, what triggers are possible, what side effects are there?

Be sure to get it clarified

Fortunately, dizziness is generally harmless in many cases. “Unless it occurs suddenly and acutely and doesn’t go away. Then seek medical help immediately,” said the neurology primary.

Positional vertigo, on the other hand, can be easily managed with balance exercises. The good news, says sports scientist and Uniqa vitality coach Wolfgang Baierl: “Balance can also be trained.” His tip: “Place your legs behind each other as if they were balancing on a line. Then slowly tilt your upper body back and forth and see whether you can do this without stopping or later with your eyes closed. Make the exercise increasingly difficult, so that a training effect can be achieved,” he advised the audience. “And it’s best to repeat it every day – and to be on the safe side, put a chair that you can hold on to if things get too wobbly.”

Physical security can also allay fears. “Because you shouldn’t forget that the psychological stress caused by dizziness is also a problem for those affected. Many people no longer want to go out the door because they fear that they could fall.”

In general, dizziness can also be psychological. “Here we are talking about the so-called phobic vertigo or “anxiety vertigo,” explained Helbok. “There are no organic causes behind it; the trigger here is often psychological stress or emotional conflicts.”